Wire-stretcher



(No Model.)

0. BLACK. WIRE STRETOHER.

Patented Sept. 27.1881.

INVENTOE WITNESSES: @ZZOT/ $0M),

BY (MW ATTORNEYS.

lmljthogriwher, Walhingian. n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WpBLACK, OF CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO.

WI RE-S'TRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 247,599, dated September 27, 1881.

Application filed May 16, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BLACK, of Cuyahoga Falls, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Wire-Stretchers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to a means for stretching wires such as are used for farm-fences.

The invention consists in a novel construction of a frame having a Windlass for winding up a rope connected to the wire, and provided with means for engaging with fenceposts, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the invention when used in connection with wooden fence-posts. Fig. 2 is a top view, partly in section, showing the manner of using the invention in connection with iron fence-posts.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a frame, consisting of a metallic plate or bar having one end forked or divided into two branches, at a, and the other end doubled, and carrying between the doubled portions a Windlass, B, provided with a handcrank, C, and two ratchets, d d for engagement with a pawl, D.

On one side of the frame A, about midway between the branches at a, is a curved shoulder, forming a cam, E, immediately above which is a pivoted button, G, having the edge of its free end serrated. On the other side of said frame are sharp-pointed hooks or spurs H.

lnnsing this invention in connection with a wooden post the frame is placed with the branches 0. (t on one side of the post and pointingtoward the wire to be stretched, and the hooks or spurs H are engaged with the post to hold the frame in position. One end of a rope, J, is attached to the Windlass, and'to the other end of said rope is attached a clamp consisting of a slotted stirrup, K, and acam, L. This clamp is engaged with the wire to,

as shown in Fig. 1, and the windlassis turned so as to draw the wire taut between the cam E and button G. When the wire is sufficiently taut the button G is lowered, so as to hold the wire firmly between the serrated edge of the button and the curved face of the cam. The wire is then secured to the post by a staple, or in any other suitable manner, and the apparatus is removed to the next post and the operation is repeated.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, M represents an arm attached to the frame A, and having a longitudinal slot, m, therein, and P represents a hook working in said slot, and having its rear portion screw-threaded and provided with a thumb-nut, It. When the apparatus is used in connection with an iron fence-post the hook P engages with one of the ribs or projections on said post and holds the frame in position, as shown.

The button and cam are not essential to the stretcher, but are applied for use in holding the wire, while a second hold is taken with the rope in case the first operation does not tighten the wire sufficiently.

The stretcher can be readily placed at either side of the post, according to the direction the wire is to be drawn.

Having thus described my inven tion, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten t 1. The frame, plate, or bar A a (I, provided with the hooks or spurs H and carrying the Windlass B, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The combination, with the frame A and rope J, of the cam E and button G, as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, with the frame A, of the slot-ted arm M, hook P, and thumb-nut R, as shown and described, for the purpose specified.

CHARLES WILBUB BLACK.

Witnesses:

T. F. HEATH, J. O. REED. 

